The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has flagged an across-the-board amnesty for drug cheating athletes in the wake of "extraordinary" revelations involving cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The testimony of Armstrong's fellow riders and team-mates proved to be a key element in exposing what the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) described as "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping program that sport has ever seen".

It has prompted debate about whether an amnesty is needed to encourage others to come forward.

WADA president John Fahey says the idea has some merit, and it is likely to be considered once the Armstrong appeals process has run its course.

"I'm very interested in that suggestion," Mr Fahey told ABC Radio National.

"Let me say it's not up to cycling to decide on an amnesty, it is a matter that the World Anti-Doping Agency would have to decide.

"Now, I'm not aware to suggest that the problems that this decision indicated in cycling is apparent in other sports.

"But do you leave it at simply cycling, or do you say 'well look, let's have an amnesty across the board and if there is a problem in any other sport - including cycling - let everybody come clean and let's start again'?

"That suggestion is one which I am sure my board would be very interested in entertaining."

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.